21st Century Perspective on an Ancient Phrase

Uncategorized 2 Minutes

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. – James 1:19

A couple of weeks ago, as the new year loomed ahead, I shared this verse that has inspired me to strive to listen more, talk less, and maybe even learn a few things in the process! I was mainly focused on the phrases “slow to speak” (hard for me) and “slow to become angry,” which I don’t struggle with that much.

But in reviewing this verse, I took another look at that first phrase – “quick to listen.” We don’t often think of the adjective “quick” in connection with the verb “listen,” and yet it’s in the Bible, so it must mean something …

As I was meditating on this verse, I suddenly had an image flash through my mind. Most of it looked like a scene common today, with one exception.

I saw someone holding a cell phone, eyes glued to the screen – something we see virtually everywhere. But when I spoke the words, “quick to listen,” I pictured that person immediately looking up and making eye contact – being quick to listen.

How often are we in the middle of watching something or reading something on our phones when a real, live, breathing person is standing there wanting to talk to us? How often do we hold up one finger or say “Just a second…” which turns out to be much more than one second?

Or do we “listen” or “talk to them” without taking our eyes off the all-important screen?

So as I begin this new year, here’s my 2025 definition of “quick to listen”:

Put down the phone (NOW) and listen. Really listen, not just with your ears, but with your eyes. Notice the facial expressions, the gestures, the body language. There are things the eyes can catch that the ears miss.

Most importantly, listen with your heart. Be open to the Holy Spirit; He may be giving you insight into that person’s life, maybe even regarding something He wants you to say or do for that person.

In other words, engaging with an individual person requires a lot more commitment than passively looking at your phone.

This new year’s resolution might be harder than I thought …

Prayer: Dear Lord, I have become so accustomed to having my little “window on the world” in the palm of my hand. But I realize there are many times when the world You want me to engage with is more often someone who is right there with me. I pray that not only would I have Your priorities, but also that those priorities would be so deeply engrained in me that the moment someone needs my attention, they would have it. Help me to treat every individual in a way that says that person is important – because they are. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Unknown's avatar

Published by seekingdivineperspective

I am a forgiven sinner and adopted child of God, seeking to see life from His perspective - as opposed to the world's flawed perspective - and living my life accordingly.

Published

23 thoughts on “21st Century Perspective on an Ancient Phrase”

  5. Thank you for this, I think too many time I “listen” but with the intention of giving a quick answer. I pray that as I’m quick to listen I will also listen with the intention of understanding before I answer.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. What a good post! I really am offended when I try to talk to someone on their phone and they don’t even hear me. I try to stop whatever I am doing to listen. If I am watching a show on TV and my husband comes to talk, I put the TV on pause.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I do that, too, Diane. But when it’s live TV, it’s harder for me, because it doesn’t pause! 😖 I just need to remember that no TV show is more important than a person (unless there’s an emergency and we’re being told where to go. 😉)!

      Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      Happy 2025!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  8. Absolutely. It drives me crazy when I speak and the other person is not actively listening. They’re multitasking. ‘I Heard you. You said A, B, C,’ they repeat as they continue something else. Listening is not always listening. It’s also ‘Pay attention,’ as you point out.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. This was good counsel, Annie. The most important one we need to be listening to is the Lord Jesus, and we are not going to hear him speak truth to our hearts if we do not take a good enough amount of time to really hear him and to reflect on what he is saying to us and then to begin to put into practice what he is teaching us, too. And we have to have 24/7 open communication with our Lord to where we can hear him speak to us anytime of day or night and where we can immediately respond to what he wants to teach us. He is the primary one we need to be quick to listen to and to respond in a manner which shows that we really did listen and that we will now put what he said to do in practice. And then we need to also be good listeners with other humans, too. And yes, our smart phones can consume us if we are not careful, and they can take over where communication with other humans face to face is needed. So thank you for that good counsel. Sue

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a reply to jesusluvsall Cancel reply